For immediate release: Nov. 17, 2002

RED DEER – After meeting staff of the Red Deer Remand Centre over the weekend, AUPE President Dan MacLennan says he has serious concerns about the role staffing levels played in the build up to Thursday night’s riot at the facility.

Double bunking of inmates in the facility and safety equipment may have also played a role in allowing the situation to escalate on Thursday, MacLennan said.

The Alberta Union of Provincial Employees represents correctional officers and other staff at provincial jails in Alberta, including the Red Deer facility.

"Our members in Red Deer have been warning for some time that there was the potential for serious problems in remand centres, and this unit in particular," MacLennan said. "It was because of the professionalism and courage of the staff, who reacted appropriately and effectively, that the situation did not become much more serious that it already had.

"The chance of this incident occurring could have been greatly reduced if staff concerns had been addressed beforehand," MacLennan said.

Staffing levels at the 24-hour admitting facility are inadequate when it comes to addressing safety, MacLennan said.

Normally, there is only one correctional officer assigned to the unit where 55 inmates went on a rampage. "This does not allow for proper security concerns to be dealt with appropriately in a proactive way," MacLennan said.

Double bunking of inmates has also contributed to an increase in the danger to guards working in the facility, and elsewhere, MacLennan said. This particular area of the remand centre was built to house 32 people at 16 inmates per side. It is now being used to house up to double that number with no correlating increase in staff.

"Incidents of gangs and related problems have further worsened the situation in units such as this particular one in Red Deer," MacLennan said.

Finally, MacLennan said, the Red Deer facility needs to ensure there is adequate safety equipment on hand to deal with situations when they occur.

MacLennan commended the actions of Alberta Solicitor-General Heather Forsythe.
"I was glad that the minister took the time to contact the centre and voice her support for these workers and the job they did," he said. "The members working there appreciated hearing this support directly from the minister."
MacLennan will be contacting the minister’s office Monday morning and requesting the Minister consider meeting with staff members to hear their concerns.

"The support she has shown has been great, and I believe that as minister she would welcome the opportunity to meet directly with staff in an informal setting to hear their ideas on improving services," he said.

"The staff at the Red Deer Remand Centre have positive suggestions for improving the centre’s operation that would dramatically reduce the likelihood of a similar situation occurring in the future," MacLennan concluded.

"Staff deserve the chance to put forward simple and proactive solutions to their boss that make the Remand Centre safer for everyone."

For more information, contact:
Dan MacLennan, President, AUPE, 780-930-3301 or 780-910-8392 (cellular phone)
David Climenhaga, Communications Director, AUPE, 780-930-3311 or 780-717-2943 (cellular phone)